The PowerBreak Podcast

Program 178 – SHOW NOTES

Show date – 12/28/21

THE Q&A FORMAT

1. OPEN with Tease

(Bob) “This is the PowerBreak Podcast, number 178 titled:

Bitter Or Better

Pause for 5 seconds

– I’m Bob Brubaker along with JT as we hope you will stay tuned as we seek to give you a little power in this break to help you succeed in the race of life.”

2. (JT) This is the – PowerBreak Podcast – with a focus on the spiritual, the mental, and the physical aspects – all to help you succeed in the race of life. For show notes from today’s podcast go to bobbrubaker.com and follow the link for the PowerBreak podcast.

3. Welcome – Bob and JT – chit chat about life, walk with God, training, etc.

BB&JT: Plea and thank you for ratings and review & for spreading the word via social media and word of mouth…

    BB –  We are talking today about … “Bitter Or Better” … So JT – What are some You’ve seen people be bitter, and some ways you’ve seen people be better for having gone through difficulties?

JT answers and discussion

4. Bob – POINT: God uses difficulties in our lives to train us and to grow us … but also to test us to allow us to see how far we need to go in our walk with Him in maturity… for none of us have arrived. The result from any given trial is our growth gets better or we become bitter. Two distinct results of times of struggle or difficulty.

Hebrews 12:15 (ESV) — 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;

So today it’s the consideration of the BITTER vs BETTER

JT ------ OK THEN LET’S  TALK SOME MORE ABOUT THAT as we bring up… WHAT’S NEW –  as we open Bob’s recent blog from bobbrubaker.com …

Bob, tell us what you wrote in your blog,

Bitter Or Better

5. Presentation and discussion of Bob’s published article,

• Bob and JT discuss highlights of the PowerBreak blog

• Bitter Or Better

Bob concludes with “The PowerBreak blog is found at bobbrubaker.com”             ((((:03 PAUSE))))

6. JT – What’s happening Bob? Any news we need to know about this week?

7. Bob – One Breath From Death –… & Sermon link on the website.

(((:03 PAUSE)))

8. JT – This is the PowerBreak Podcast, I’m JT along with Bob Brubaker and this is the  –– time for some questions and answers. Feel free to submit your questions by EMAIL TO JT@bobbrubaker.com and we’ll get to the answer on an upcoming PowerBreak. Podcast…

9. JT – Question ONE - FROM THE SPIRITUAL SIDE OF LIFE….

Three part question: Can we say for certainty that God has a purpose for every trial, difficulty, or struggle in our lives? Why? What shall we do?

10. Bob
11. YES

Romans 8:28–29 (ESV) — 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Romans 8:29–31 (ESV) — 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

1 Peter 1:6–7 (ESV) — 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Job 1:7–8 (ESV) — 7 The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” 8 And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?”

1. Why? --- to conform us through maturity from the trial OR to test us to display the genuineness of our faith OR to chasten us to change.

James 1:2–4 (ESV) — 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

• See Job& 1Pet 1:6-7

Hebrews 12:5–10 (ESV) — 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.

1. Cooperate with the working of the Spirit of God and STOP resisting which leads to bitterness

11. JT – Question Two… “FROM THE MENTAL ASPECT”

How do we mentally keep from becoming bitter? (maybe we should talk about recognizing symptoms of bitterness)

12. Bob

It’s a matter of focus… FOCUS on Christ and His word in order to stay close to Him. Recognize symptoms of bitterness are symptoms of sin which means we need to confess and forsake it immediately…

Hebrews 12:15 (ESV) — 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;

BITTERNESS = mad at God and others, complaining, judging, gossiping

Proverbs 28:13 (ESV) — 13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

• MENTALLY THEN emphasize the need for and the participation in times of growth…. Like an athlete in training.

13. (JT) Third Question …. Turning to the physical aspect of life….

Getting Better Sleep to train better in the coming year…

Bob: OK some ideas…

1. Cut caffein and curb alcohol
2. Go dark before going to sleep (room and screens)
3. Hot to cold --- hot bath or shower to a cool room
4. Consistent evening routine as well as sleep & wake up times

Any other thoughts JT

BB & JT discuss ---

Bob’s final comment – It takes discipline ….

Point: DISCIPLINE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE --- in all aspects of life

Closing statement Bob…. “check out today’s show notes at bobbrubaker.com and click on the PowerBreak podcast – today’s show is 178.

14. JT – Submit your questions by EMAIL to JT@bobbrubaker.com and listen for OUR answer on an upcoming PowerBreak Podcast (((:03 pause)))

15. (((commercial by Bob))) --- One Breath From Death

(((pause for music transition)))

16. (JT) Thank you for joining us for the PowerBreak Podcast. Please subscribe and leave a review where-ever you have downloaded the podcast. Check out the show notes, news, Bob’s weekly blog, and other cool things at bobbrubabaker.com and listen next time for the – “powerbreak podcast.